Fastening device for a takealong bottle

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns a fastening device for a takealong bottle ( 1 ) having a bottle holding device ( 12, 13 ) and a device for holding it on the user ( 11, 16 ) linked by a connecting piece ( 13 ) characterized in that the bottle holding device holds the bottle by the neck under the collar (C) and in that the device for holding it on the user consists of means of fastening it onto the user&#39;s waist which may be fastened onto the hem of an item of clothing ( 20 ) worn by the user and preferably onto a waist hem.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to French Patent Application No. 0402627, filed Mar. 15, 2004. The entire contents of this French application are hereby expressly incorporated by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a fastening device for a takealong bottle. More specifically, the invention fits small drink bottles and aims to provide the user with a way of holding the bottle that is practical and reliable in such takealong conditions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various methods of holding bottles are known. The most commonly used solutions are either to hold a bottle in one's hand whilst on the move or to have a rucksack in which the user places his bottle. These solutions take little space and restrict the user's freedom of movement. Different solutions are also known involving straps that enable bottles to be held over the shoulder or on the back. Such devices with straps have in particular the disadvantage of having a bottle that is badly held and that bangs against the user as he walks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the main objects of the invention is a fastening device which allows the bottle to be held on the body in such a way that the user is able to carry out activities indoors or outdoors, sporting or professional, with a bottle permanently to hand.

It is an object of the invention is to propose a practical and functional device.

It is an object of the invention to propose a low-cost solution that fits every user in every type of circumstance. It is compact and takes up very little space. Made of monobloc plastic, it is very cheap to manufacture.

It is an object of the invention to propose a device that does not hinder the user's movements during his activity.

A main aspect of the invention is that it includes a device for fastening it onto the user and a device for holding the neck of the bottle.

In one aspect of the invention, the user fastening device is fixed preferably at the user's waist. It is an elastic clip which grips the hem of the waisted item of clothing, trousers or dress on the waist hem at the level of the belt. The reason for placing this device in this position is that it is situated at a place that corresponds to the way a very large part of users dress, that is to say that any user who is wearing a pair of trousers, shorts or a skirt. Placed on the side at hip level it does not hinder the user in his movements.

In one aspect of the invention, the device for fastening onto the bottle neck is an elastic clip which grips the bottle neck. This clip at once allows the bottle to be held firmly and to be easily attached and unattached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures enclosed in the annexes represent a particular mode of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a view of the invention from above

FIG. 2 represents a side view of the invention

FIG. 3 represents another side view in cross section

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention concerns an easy-fastening device for a takealong bottle. The invention fits small drink bottles (such as 33 cl or 50 cl bottles) and aims to provide the user with a way of holding the bottle that is practical and reliable in such takealong conditions.

FIG. 1 represents a view from above of the takealong bottle fastening device (1) which is fixed at the user's waist on his waisted item of clothing (20), trousers, shorts or skirt, clipping round the edge of the waist (20), on either side of the item of clothing. This device may also be fixed onto a pocket or onto a belt loop strap. In this form, the invention is monobloc in injected plastic. The device for clipping onto the user (11) consist of two plates (11 a, 11 b) generally rectangular in shape, linked to each other at the top of one of them and by means of a top link (16) with elastic characteristics so that the two plates (11 a, 11 b) clip the waist hem (20) of the item of clothing worn by the user. A first plate (11 a) being in contact with the user's waist, and a second plate (11 b) serving as the fixing support for a bottle clip (12, 13). This bottle clip includes a connecting piece (13) making the link between the second plate (11 b) whose function is to position a clip (12) at a sufficient distance from the plates (11) as to leave sufficient distance (D) for half the width of a standard bottle to fit between the bottle clip (12) and the second plate (11 a). The clip (12) takes the form of a portion of a ring covering about 260° with an opening (14) that will allow the neck of the bottle (B) through, FIG. 3. This shape is optimized to serve a double function, the first function being to offer an easy way of attaching—unattaching the neck of a bottle which fits into the hollow part of the clip. The clip being elastic due to its being made of plastic and within a margin of elasticity corresponding to the threshold of tolerance and in particular as a result of its particular geometry with a ring opening (14) corresponding to at least a quarter of the circumference of a complete ring of the same size. The second function being to serve as a support, FIG. 3, for the collar (C) that traditionally features on the neck of takealong drink bottles (B). FIG. 2 represents a side view of the invention showing the neck clip (12) on the connecting piece (13) joined to the second plate (11 b).

The invention therefore concerns a fastening device for a takealong bottle (1) consisting of a bottle holding device (12, 13) and a device for fastening it to the user (11, 16) connected by a connecting piece (13) characterized in that the bottle holding device holds the bottle by the neck underneath the collar (C) and that the device for holding it on the user includes methods of fastening it to the user's waist which may be fixed onto the hem of an item of clothing (20) worn buy the user and in particular and preferably on a waist hem.

The invention concerns a fastening device for a takealong bottle (1) characterized in that the bottle holding device (12) is a clip in the form of a portion of a ring with a ring opening (14) at least equal in length to a quarter of the length of the ring.

The invention concerns a fastening device for a takealong bottle (1) characterized in that the device for holding it onto the user is a clip formed by two plates (11 a, 11 b) connected together at the top (16) by a link which gives the assembly of the two plates a character of elasticity.

The invention concerns a fastening device for a takealong bottle (1) characterized in that it is monobloc, made for example of injected plastic and that the maximum dimension of the connecting piece (13) does not exceed a length of 2 centimeters, that is the length sufficient to lodge the bottle along the user's waist.

It can clearly be seen that numerous variations that may be liable to be combined can be made here without moving outside the scope of the invention as it is defined below. 

1. A fastening device for a takealong bottle having a neck and a collar, comprising: a bottle-holding component that holds a bottle by the neck thereof under the collar thereof; a user-holding component adapted to hold the bottle-holding component to a user by fastening onto a hem of an item of clothing worn by the user; and a connecting piece linking the bottle-holding component to the user-holding component.
 2. A fastening device for a takealong bottle according to claim 1, wherein the user-holding component is adapted to fasten onto a waist hem.
 3. A fastening device for a takealong bottle according to claim 1, wherein the bottle-holding component is a clip in the form of a portion of a ring with a ring opening at least equal in length to a quarter of the length of the ring.
 4. A fastening device for a takealong bottle according to claim 1, wherein the user-holding component is a clip formed by two plates connected at a top thereof by a link that gives to the assembly of the two plates a character of elasticity.
 5. A fastening device for a takealong bottle according to claim 1, wherein the user-holding component is a clip that is of unitary construction.
 6. A fastening device for a takealong bottle according to claim 5, wherein a maximum dimension of the connecting piece does not exceed a length of 2 centimeters, but has a length sufficient to lodge the bottle along the user's waist.
 7. A fastening device for a takealong bottle according to claim 5, wherein the clip is made of injected plastic.
 8. A method of fastening a takealong bottle having a neck and a collar to a user, comprising: attaching the bottle to a bottle-holding component that holds the bottle by the neck thereof under the collar thereof; and holding the bottle-holding component to a user by fastening a user-holding component that is connected to the bottle-holding component to a hem of an item of clothing worn by the user.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the attaching step comprises attaching the bottle to a portion of a ring with a ring opening at least equal in length to a quarter of the length of the ring.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the holding step comprises fastening the user-holding component to the waist hem of an article of clothing worn by the user.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the user-holding component comprises a clip that comprises two plates and the holding step comprises clipping the user-holding component to the hem whereby the hem is between the two plates. 